# Who would be the best possible "Tonight Show" or other late show host? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 20, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695 "2010-01-20T14:58:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/21 "2010-01-20T19:59:38Z")
Strangest guest host I saw was Vincent Price for Carson. This was back when Carson took almost the whole summer off. Price said “I can’t do comedy, so I will sing a song” and he wasn’t a bad singer. I think Price was a last minute fill in for the scheduled guest host. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/22 "2010-01-20T20:13:24Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Price said "I can’t do comedy, Apparently he never saw a Vincent Price film. Anyway, I reject the idea that Leno is “too safe and boring” to host the Tonight Show, considering that he did quite well at for over a decade and was still going strong when the network bumped him, with catastrophic results. So most Dopers don’t seem to be Leno fans. Neither am I. I never watch his shows and I’ve never bought the talk-show-host-with-a-heart-of-gold image that stuck with him until recently. But guess what, he was very successful at what he did. The fact that I never liked him doesn’t mean he wasn’t the best man for the job. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/23 "2010-01-20T20:44:34Z")
I find it interesting that every Tonight Show host has been a white guy. And every current late night talk show (that runs M-F on a network) is a white guy. And most of the suggestions in this thread has been white guys. Therefore, the next Tonight Show host will be… Barack Obama. ---
**Author:** ![planetcory](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/planetcory/32/1032_2.png) [@planetcory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/planetcory)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/24 "2010-01-20T20:57:05Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > When Dave Letterman was out for a while after surgery, Vince Vaughn was a guest host for an episode or two. > > I did not actually get the chance to see the show when he was on, but I remember a columnist (was it Robert Feder?) writing about how he thought Vaughn was a great host, engaging the audience and shmoozing the guests very well. > > I like Vince Vaughn, and I like the character he typically plays, the rapid-fire talking, slightly schlubby everyguy, but he has to have a really good movie for that character to work. I don’t think it works so well in a bad movie, and how long can he make movies playing that character over and over? > > So bring in Vaughn. I remember this. He was great. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/25 "2010-01-20T20:57:23Z")
Wayne Brady? ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/26 "2010-01-20T21:10:26Z")
> [@The\_Controvert](#): > > I find it interesting that every Tonight Show host has been a white guy. And every current late night talk show (that runs M-F on a network) is a white guy. And most of the suggestions in this thread has been white guys. Therefore, the next Tonight Show host will be… Barack Obama. Well, two other people I almost put in the OP are not white guys: **Will Smith** - One of the most popular actors in the world, possibly #1. And he has TV experience. I just didn’t list him because the idea of him wanting to do it seems implausible. **Ellen DeGeneres** - Already hosts a popular talk show, and is well-liked. She is actually my third choice but I didn’t go past two choices in the OP. I’m frankly surprised no one else has named her yet. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/27 "2010-01-20T21:17:12Z")
> [@The\_Controvert](#): > > I find it interesting that every Tonight Show host has been a white guy. And every current late night talk show (that runs M-F on a network) is a white guy. And most of the suggestions in this thread has been white guys. Therefore, the next Tonight Show host will be… Barack Obama. When Craig Kilborn left the Late Late Show, CBS went through a whole bunch of guest hosts while looking for his replacement. The frontrunner for a long time was DL Hughley until Craig Ferguson came in, did his Scottish Conan Guy schtick and blew everybody away. While I felt bad for DL, Craig Ferguson is now the best late night host by far. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Nene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/da6949/32.png) [@El\_Nene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Nene)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/28 "2010-01-20T21:46:42Z")
The only correct answer is: [The Most Interesting Man in the World](http://youtube.com/results?search_query=the+most+interesting+man+in+the+world&search_type=&aq=0&oq=the+most+interesting+man). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/29 "2010-01-20T23:15:13Z")
> [@El\_Nene](#): > > The only correct answer is: [The Most Interesting Man in the World](http://youtube.com/results?search_query=the+most+interesting+man+in+the+world&search_type=&aq=0&oq=the+most+interesting+man). No, he would be the best possible _guest._ > [@The\_Controvert](#): > > Barack Obama. He already has a gig, meaning we’d have to endure three more years of drama before he could get behind the desk. > [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > **Ellen DeGeneres** - Already hosts a popular talk show, and is well-liked. She is actually my third choice but I didn’t go past two choices in the OP. I’m frankly surprised no one else has named her yet. This is an excellent idea. The only hangup I see is that Ellen’s show is produced by Warner Brothers, which is tied up with the CW Network. Maybe the best possible solution is for NBC to buy the CW – also getting itself some programs that appeal to a younger demographic. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/30 "2010-01-20T23:56:29Z")
> [@The\_Controvert](#): > > I find it interesting that every Tonight Show host has been a white guy. And every current late night talk show (that runs M-F on a network) is a white guy. And most of the suggestions in this thread has been white guys. Therefore, the next Tonight Show host will be… Barack Obama. Sadly, after 2012, that’s a real possibility. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/31 "2010-01-21T00:23:46Z")
Who’s that _Talk Soup_ guy? Only it’s not called _Talk Soup_ anymore. Joel McHale. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/32 "2010-01-21T00:42:38Z")
I bet (based on his show “Spectacle” on Sundance Channel) that Elvis Costello would do a good job. I also know the David Byrne is extremely literate and politically aware, (he is also somewhat aloof and arrogant) and would probably make an interesting host. (I don’t imagine either one would ever go for such a career move, though) ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/33 "2010-01-21T01:48:03Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Craig Ferguson is now the best late night host by far. Damn right. He’s great at talking to guests about all sorts of things besides whatever they’re there to flog, and you never know – I think he often doesn’t know – where he’s going to go with what he’s saying, except that it’s usually hilarious. He does overdo the archness sometimes, but overall he’s way better than the rest of the pack. When Britney Spears was melting down, he stated one night that [he wasn’t going to joke about her:](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/21/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main2498408.shtml) > [@](#): > > “Tonight, no Britney Spears jokes. Here’s why: The kind of weekend she had, she was checking in and out of rehab, shaving her head, getting tattoos. That’s what she was doing this weekend,” he said on his show. “This Sunday I was 15 years sober. I didn’t do it for anyone else but myself. I did it because it was an act of conscience. I’m amazed that not poking fun of somebody has become a news story.” > > “For me, comedy should have a certain amount of joy in it,” Ferguson said. “It should be about attacking the powerful — the politicians, the Trumps, the blowhards — going after them. We shouldn’t be attacking the vulnerable.” ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/34 "2010-01-21T02:44:35Z")
I remember I was surprised late night comics did not joke about Anna Nicole Smith dying. Guess they figured she was too much of a tragic figure. ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/35 "2010-01-21T02:48:48Z")
Norm MacDonald, an edgier Letterman who has Conan’s credibility with younger and more indie performing artists who he may be booking. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/36 "2010-01-21T02:59:25Z")
I think Drew Carey should do the impossible, or at least, the unthinkable. He should make the transition from America’s most beloved Morning Show Host on the Price is Right, to America’s most beloved Night Time Host on one of the networks’ various Tonight Shows. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/37 "2010-01-21T03:28:19Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Damn right. He’s great at talking to guests about all sorts of things besides whatever they’re there to flog, and you never know – I think he often doesn’t know – where he’s going to go with what he’s saying, except that it’s usually hilarious. He does overdo the archness sometimes, but overall he’s way better than the rest of the pack. > > When Britney Spears was melting down, he stated one night that [he wasn’t going to joke about her:](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/21/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main2498408.shtml) Craig Ferguson is seriously one of the funniest and (you’re right) arch and just all over the place hosts. He has no problem making fun of people in power, but he has a sweet side–and your quote about when he stopped being one of the vultures on Britney is one I remember. I’m reading _Between the Bridge and the River_. It’s wonderful if you have a sense of humor, but don’t read it if you’re gay. Or straight. Or a Christian. Or an athiest. And especially not if you’re English. Or Scots. Or if you have any opinion on pyschotherapy. Or Tv. Or… Well, it’s a fun book. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/38 "2010-01-21T03:37:51Z")
I have heard that the two most intelligent actors–at least on the game show circuit–are David Duchovny and Cheech Marin. Either of them might make an interesting choice. What are they doing now that’s more important? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/39 "2010-01-21T07:07:37Z")
I think the winner is…_Dennis Miller_. Hilarious, edgy, capable of bloviating for hours on end, and conservative enough to resonate with the older folks as well as the young’uns. Although, I have to agree with MPB about _Elvis Costello_. I saw him serve as a last-minute fill-in for Letterman once (EC was supposed to be a guest, but Dave got sick so they moved him behind the desk) and he was great - erudite, funny, and good at drawing out the other guests. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/40 "2010-01-21T12:28:26Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You know who does good celebrity interviews? Howard Stern. He gets them off script from talking about their latest stupid movie, and about how great it was to work with Ron Howard, and gets them to actually talk about some of the reality of their lives and what it’s like to be them. Along the same lines, I think Adam Carolla is a really good interviewer as well. He was in the running for Ferguson’s job along with DL Hughley, and he did a very good job. Of course I’d miss his podcasts if he stopped doing them, so I’m glad this is just hypothetical. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695.md?page=3)